Well I finally had some time to test an idea for reducing foaming on short beer lines. I finally rigged up my kegerator with a second regulator so I can serve wheats and Belgians at higher pressures alongside typically carbonated beers. I was concerned about foaming at the higher pressures and have been thinking about ways around it without having to add more beer line in order to control foaming. There was a recent thread by Bobby_M about foam control and there was the suggestion of adding beer line to the end of the dip tube, thinking along the the lines of the homemade flow-gate on the Maltose Falcon's website. I thought maybe the epoxy mixer insert they used would fit inside a dip tube, rather than splicing it in the beer line. I'm pleased to report the fit is perfect!!!!
I tested the old set up at the new pressures (16 psi, 8ft line) and it took just 1 sec to pour 100 ml. I took the keg out, depressurized it, undid the connector, sanitized two(2) of the inserts, put them in the diptube and put the connector back on. I put it back on line and did a test pour. This time it took four (4) seconds to pour 100 ml of beer. Success!!!!!
I got the part from McMaster.com, part # 74695A58 Bayonet Mixer Nozzle, 5.3" L, 1/4" Blunt Tip $1.38 each
The beauty of this is it is easy to put the inserts in our take them out so one doesn't have to dedicate certain kegs for highly carbonated beers or have beer line/taps dedicated to a them. All I have to do now is when I keg up a beer I want to be more highly carbed I just need to put two inserts in at kegging time. Done, no foaming. Heck I might even try 3 or 4 inserts in the dip tube and see If I can then reduce some of the spaghetti in the kegerator, maybe then only 3 ft would be needed for a good pour at 12 psi
Here are photos of testing on an empty keg
I tested the old set up at the new pressures (16 psi, 8ft line) and it took just 1 sec to pour 100 ml. I took the keg out, depressurized it, undid the connector, sanitized two(2) of the inserts, put them in the diptube and put the connector back on. I put it back on line and did a test pour. This time it took four (4) seconds to pour 100 ml of beer. Success!!!!!
I got the part from McMaster.com, part # 74695A58 Bayonet Mixer Nozzle, 5.3" L, 1/4" Blunt Tip $1.38 each
The beauty of this is it is easy to put the inserts in our take them out so one doesn't have to dedicate certain kegs for highly carbonated beers or have beer line/taps dedicated to a them. All I have to do now is when I keg up a beer I want to be more highly carbed I just need to put two inserts in at kegging time. Done, no foaming. Heck I might even try 3 or 4 inserts in the dip tube and see If I can then reduce some of the spaghetti in the kegerator, maybe then only 3 ft would be needed for a good pour at 12 psi
*UPDATE
One can also get the inserts from Grainger - in a 10 pack for a bit less than McMaster if you want a bunch
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/LOCTITE-Mix-Nozzle-3NVL6
Also, concerns about leaching from the Delrin inserts have been raised. Concentrated acids may cause some problems so that may be an issue when using StarSan. A safe alternative is to use ethanol or isopropanol
Here are photos of testing on an empty keg